Let me tell you about Key Lime.

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Key Lime

Citrus x aurantiifolia

Zones 9–13

Growing

Because they are highly sensitive to even light frost, Key limes are best managed as container plants if you live in a region where temperatures dip. This allows you to move the tree indoors once the growing season ends to protect it from the cold. When planting, ensure your soil stays slightly acidic, ideally between a pH of 5.5 and 7.0, and prioritize excellent drainage to prevent waterlogged roots.

Unlike many other fruits, Key limes do not continue to ripen once they are removed from the tree. You must harvest them when they are fully ready to use to ensure you capture their signature aromatic, highly acidic flavor. Because the rind is much thinner than that of a Persian lime, the fruit is more delicate. To maintain quality, store your unwashed fruit in the fridge. If you have a surplus, you can also preserve the juice through freezing for later use in recipes or drinks.

Stats
Sunfull sun
Watermedium
Grow time>150 days
Height>6ft
Spacing>24in
Light
Full sun✓
Part shade✓
Shade✗
Traits
Life cycleperennial
Categorytree fruit
Growth habittree
Seasonwarm
Frost tolerancetender
Heightover 6ft
Spacingover 24in
Days to maturityover 150
Growing
Watermedium
Drainagewell drained
Soil ph min5.5
Soil ph max7.0
Propagation
Seed✓
Cutting✓
Division✗
Graft✓
Tuber bulb crown✗
Transplant✓
Container ok✓
Pollinationself fertile
Pollinator friendly✓
Toxic parts
Leaves✗
Seeds✗
Raw✗
Post harvest
Wash before storing✗
Ripens off plant✗
Curing daysnone
Shelf life1–4wk
Storage methods
Room temp✗
Cool dark✓
Fridge✓
Freeze✓
Can✓
Dry✓
Ferment pickle✓
Blanch before freezing✗
Calendar, zone 7
Not suited to zone 7. Grows in zones 9–13.